CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1960 1.G User Guide
Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 1960, Model line: CORVAIR, Model: CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1960 1.GPages: 38, PDF Size: 13.42 MB
Page 11 of 38

CONTROLS
LIGHT CONTROL KNOB
The three-position light switch is operated as shown.
Turn the
knob to vary the brightness of the instrument
lights. Turn fully counter-clockwise past the "detent" to
turn on the dome light.
TURN SIGNAL
The turn signal lever should be moved UP to signal
a right turn or DOWN to signal a left turn. The indicator
lights in the instrument panel will signal the direction as
will the parking and tail lights. When the turn is com
pleted, the lever will automatically return to neutral
position.
8
FULLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE TURN TO VARY OFF@ORDOMELIGHTSBRIGHTNESSOF ~ ~ /INSTRUMENT ___ -." , PANEL
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-'-"'~\\ ,,/ ~ ... "., ~~-, ..... '1' ~~ .... "-'--INSTRUMENT ~-""-PARKING AND TAIL "-LIGHTS LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS
DIMMER SWITCH
The foot button located near your left foot switches
the
headlights between "high" and "low" beam. The
"high" beam indicator, located in the center of the
speedometer dial, will be lighted when the headlights
are on "high" beam. Always dim the lights when ap
proaching oncoming cars.
. I CLUTCH PEDAL
,,~~:U
Page 12 of 38

BRAKES
The brake pedal is of the pendant type, providing
ample footroom and extra leverage for easy safe stops.
PARKING BRAKE
Pull the parking brake lever to engage the brake. The
lever will remain in the applied position until released
by means of the "trigger" on the handle. To release,
pull the
handle toward the steering wheel, depress the
unlocking trigger and allow the handle to return to the
releas.ed position. Always engage the parking brake
when parked.
PARKING BRAKE APPLYING HANDLE
9
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The parallel acting wipers are operated by means
of the wiper control knob on the dash .
Pressing
once on the accessory windshield washer
button will cause the washer to squirt a measured
amount of water or other cleaning agent onto the glass,
and will at the same time turn on the wiper motor. You
will have to turn off the wiper manually at the switch .
Keep the
washer jar filled to a level 2 inches below
the top of the jar with a suitable solvent. G. M. Part No.
988299, Windshield Washer Anti-Freeze and Solvent,
is recommended for use in the Corvair windshield washer
jar. NEVER USE ANY SOLVENT OR ANTI-FREEZE SOLU
TION WHICH CONTAINS METHANOL Fill the washer
jar only % full to allow for expansion if the solution
freezes. In freezing weather, pre-warm the windshield
using the heater defrosters before using the washers.
Page 13 of 38

HEATER
Three control levers provide full control of the
optional Corvair gasoline heater.
FAN-this is the AIR-ON control and the blower control.
This lever must be pushed down before the unit will
operate.
DEF-diverts heated air to the defroster ducts for
defogging or deicing windows.
HEAT-Allows for selecting degree of heat desired.
Heater will begin to supply heat in a minimum of
30 seconds. For efficient heating and heat distribu
tion, keep all windows closed.
NOTE: When heater or ignition switch is shut off,
the combustion blower will continue to operate
for 30 to 40 seconds to remove unburned fuel
and vapor from the system. This is normal for this
type of heater.
10
RADIO
The optional Corvair radio control knobs are shown
below. For best reception the antenna should be extended
to at least the height of the car roof. For long distance
reception, extend the antenna to its full length.
ON-OFF SWITCH AND VOLUME CONTROl TONE CONTROl
HEATER~---1!m~!d CONTROLS TUNING
KNOB
Page 14 of 38

KEYS AND LOCKS
A single key operates all locks on your Corvair;
front doors, ignition, glove box and luggage compart
ment. Doors
may be locked from the inside by pushing
forward on the opening handle.
Record the serial number of your keys and then
remove the
knockout plug to prevent duplication by
unauthorized persons.
11
GLOVE BOX
The glove box may be locked and unlocked with
the ignition key.
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY
Press in on the optional cigarette lighter to heat.
When ready for use, it will .. pop" out. The ash tray
cover slides toward the front of the car to open. The
ash
receptacle lifts out for cleaning.
AIR VENTS
Additional summer ventilation is provided through
vent inlets in each side of the front passenger compart
ment. The vents may be opened or closed by means of
the control knobs beneath each end of the instrument
panel.
AIR INTAKE
INTO CAR
Page 15 of 38

FRONT SEAT ADJUSTMENT
The front seat may be adjusted forward and back
ward. Lift up on the locking lever at the left end of the
seat,
adjust the seat as desired and release the lever.
Your
Authorized Chevrolet Dealer can make additional
adiustments to tailor the front seat positioning to your
particular comfort requirements.
FOLDING REAR SEAT
The optional folding rear seat, in models so
equipped, may be used to convert the rear of the
12
Corvair into more than 10 cu. ft. of cargo space. To
operate:
• Puff on each end of the seatback to unlock.
• Swing seatback forward and down.
• Press down on front edge of seatback with one hand
while "snapping" the folding panel into place with
the other hand.
Replace the seatback in the same manner, after first
releasing the folding panel at the rear of the seat back.
Page 16 of 38

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
The front luggage compartment has a capacity of
more than 10 cu. ft. with the spare tire in place.
• To open the luggage compartment, insert the ignition
key and, holding the lid down to relieve the tension on
the
lock, turn fully clockwise and allow the counter
bdlanced lid to open.
• To close, slam the lid firmly.
A second luggage space is located behind the rear
seat, for parcels or luggage which would otherwise take
up seat or floor space.
13
GAS CAP
The gas cap is concealed beneath the spring loaded
door on the left front fender.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
• To open: Push up the release while lifting the lid. Lift
the
lid .all the way up, then release.
• To close: Lift up on lid, unlock the support arm catch
lock, then lower the lid carefully. Slam firmly to assure
that the lid lock mechanism is engaged.
For proper engine cooling keep the engine compart
ment lid vents free of ice, snow or leaves.
Page 17 of 38

CLEANING HINTS
EXTERIOR APPEARANCE
WASHING YOUR CORVAIR
The best way to preserve the original beauty of the
finish
of your Corvair is to keep it clean. Calcium
chloride and other salts, road tar, excretion from insects,
tree sap, chemicals from factory chimneys and other
foreign matter may permanently damage both paint and
bright metal parts. Regular, frequent washings and a
thorough cleaning after exposure to any of the above is
recommended. Wash the car in either warm or cold
(never hot) water; never in the direct rays of the sun;
and always wait until the sheet metal surfaces have
cooled before beginning. Never wipe off dust and dirt
when surfaces are dry because this may scratch the
finish.
POLISHING YOUR CORVAIR
Your Corvair is finished with Magic Mirror Acrylic
Lacquer. A thorough washing is generally all that is
required to maintain a "new car" appearance. How
ever, if the car is to be polished ma ke certain that the
label of the cleaner or polish used states that the product
is suitable for use on acrylic lacquer finishes. Any of the
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approved cleaners or polishes listed on Page 27 of this
book may be used. Any tar or road oil remover used
should indicate on the label that it is harmless to Acrylic
finishes. G. M. Tar and Road Oil Remover has been
especially compounded for this purpose.
PROTECTION OF EXTERIOR BRIGHT METAL
PARTS
All bright metal parts of the car-should be regularly
cleaned and protected against the same substances
harmful to the painted surfaces . Normally, washing with
water is all that is required. However, G. M. Chrome
Polish may be used on CHROME or STAINLESS STEEL
trim if necessary. Use special care with ALUMINUM trim.
Never use auto or chrome polish, steam or any caustic
soap to clean aluminum. Wash only with lukewarm water,
and if necessary, a mild soap. Rinse well and dry
thoroughly.
Page 18 of 38

It is recommended that all bright metal parts of your
Corvair, after being thoroughly cleaned, be given a
coating of wax and rubbed to a high polish. This will
serve to keep corrosive agents away from these surfaces,
and should be repeated as often as required.
CLEANING WHITE SIDEWALL TIRES
Use soap, warm water or a tire cleaner such as
G. M. Whitewall Tire Cleaner and a stiff brush to remove
road grime and dirt from white sidewall tires. A fine
grade of steel wool will remove severe curb scrapes.
Do
not use gasoline, kerosene or any oil product which
would discolor or deteriorate the rubber.
CAUTION: Some white sidewall cleaners will cause
serious damage to aluminum trim. Use caution
when cleaning tires with this type of cleaner.
G. M. Whitewall Tire Cleaner is safe to use
around aluminum trim.
15
INTERIOR APPEARANCE
DUST AND DIRT
Clean the interior of your car frequently, using a
broom or vacuum cleaner. A damp cloth will wipe dust
from hard surfaces. G. M. leather Cleaner is available
from your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer to clean any
imitation leather, vinyl or coated trim fabric on seats
or door panels.
SPOTS AND STAINS
Remove upholstery stains as soon as possible or
they may become "set" and difficult or impossible to
remove. First determine the type and age of the stain
and the kind of upholstery material. Kar Kleen Uphol
stery Cleaner or Kar Kleen Upholstery Spot Cleaner,
available from your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer, will
remove most stains. For oil, grease and road grime stains
not removed by these cleaners the use of a volatile type
cleaner such as G. M.Upholstery Spot Remover is recom
mended. Do not use alkaline cleaners ·for they may
damage the color or finish of the materials. Other solu
tions such as hot or cold water, ammonia water, soap,
ink eradicator, etc., will probably discolor and disturb
the material.
Page 19 of 38

AINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
16
OCTANE REQUIREMENTS
The Corvair six-cylinder engine is designed to deliver
peak performance on what is designated as Regular
grade fuel in the continental United States and Canada.
Regular gasoline may, however, vary in octane between
manufacturers or between different sections of the
country. If unfavorable performance is encountered be
cause of either or both of the above factors, any Author
ized Chevrolet Dealer can make ignition adjustments
which
will restore your car to normal operation.
Before taking your car to foreign countries (except
Canadal, where fuel available generally does not meas-
Page 20 of 38

ure up to U. S. standards, it is desirable to' obtain
detailed information as to availability of fuels in a given
area and service and adjustments n~cessary to adapt
your car to the fuels available. Such information may be
obtained by writing:
General Motors Overseas Operations
Service Department, Room 9-164
General Motors Building
Detroit 2, Michigan
Include with your request the area to which you
plan to take your car and the vehicle type and serial
number.
COOLING SYSTEM CARE
The Corvair engine, being an air cooled engine, is
entirely dependent on the fan belt and blower to supply
sufficient volume of air for cooling purposes. The engine
fan belt should be checked for tightness at regular
intervals and replaced when necessary. Watch the
"Temp-Press" and "Gen-Fan" indicator lights on the
instrument panel for signs of engine overheating.
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